The Burgernator is ready for a fight. “I’m a pacifist,” says co-owner Amer Mokdad, “so my weapon of choice is the burger.” Kensington Market’s newest burger joint is keen to offer up handcrafted burgers to those seeking out a quick and hearty bite. ">

First Look: The Burgernator, the newest combatant in Toronto’s hamburger wars

First Look: The Burgernator, the newest combatant in Toronto’s hamburger wars

By Karolyne Ellacott

Published: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, 01:59 PM

The Captain Jerk burger (Images: Karolyne Ellacott)

With its black and army-green décor, staff-donned military berets and combative name, The Burgernator is ready for a fight. “I’m a pacifist,” says co-owner Amer Mokdad, “so my weapon of choice is the burger.” Kensington Market’s newest burger joint is keen to offer up handcrafted burgers to those seeking out a quick and hearty bite.

Taking over the unfortunately named Big Chubby Burger, another burger-slinging spot, Mokdad, his wife Laila and their son Hassan are keen to offer market-goers the real deal. The patties are ground in-house using Black Angus chuck from Grace Meat Market; they’re cooked to order and griddle-smashed. The approach is decried on a sheet of glass in front of the open kitchen in the back.

The fairly extensive menu is filled with aptly named eats. So far, the most eagerly downed picks include the Captain Jerk ($8.50), which tops a beef patty with grilled pineapple, a melted slab of Havarti and the house jerk sauce. Meanwhile, the Atomic Burger ($8.50) is crowned with a deep-fried, herb-crusted cheese patty and finished with sun-dried tomato aïoli.

However, not all is for the carnivore: the Battle Fields burger ($8.50) features a portobello mushroom stuffed with a mixed cheese blend and finished with a squirt of roasted garlic rosemary aïoli.. Fries are fresh-cut, and the buns are brought in daily from a Scarborough bakery. Burgers can also be placed inside gluten-free bread.